Thursday, February 24, 2011

ICC CWC LIVE: South Africa vs West Indies: South Africa have decided to field in their opening ICC Cricket World Cup clash against West Indies in Delhi.

Match Preview

In the past, there have been some cracking ICC CWC encounters between these teams. In their first meeting in 1992, the Proteas came out on top. The Windies avenged their defeat in 1996 and 2003.

In the last edition in the West Indies in 2007, South Africa registered a big win to make it 2-2 in Cup history. Overall, there have been 50 ODIs between them, with the Proteas leading head-to-head 37-12.

But all that will count for little when both sides take the field in front of an expectant Kotla crowd.

Though South Africa captain Graeme Smith acknowledged that though they are one of the favourites in the tournament, it will be ignorant of them to make light of the Caribbean team.

“They have got some top notch players. On their day they can punish you really hard. That’s the thing about these big tournaments. You cannot afford to have a bad day. One off day and your Cup dreams are over,” Smith told reporters on the eve of the match.

The West Indies have a relatively young team and a lot will depend on Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderp

West Indies have won 35 and lost 21 out of 57 played - winning % 62.50 (NR 1).

South Africa have won 25 and lost 13 out of 40 contested - winning % 65.00 (Tied 2).

South Africa have won their last three bilateral series against West Indies by the same margin - 5-0 in 2004-05 in West Indies, 5-0 in 2007-08 in South Africa and 5-0 in 2010 in West Indies.

South Africa have won their last eleven games against West Indies.

Approaching milestones

- Jacques Kallis (923 at an average of 51.27 in 29 games) requires 77 runs to become the second South African to complete 1,000 runs in the World Cup - a feat achieved only by Herschelle Gibbs - 1067 (ave.56.15) in 25 matches.

- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (856 at an average of 40.76 in 26 matches) is likely to become the third West Indian to complete 1,000 runs in the World Cup. Brian Lara holds a West Indian record with 1225 runs at an average of 42.24, including two centuries and seven fifties, in 34 matches. Vivian Richards had aggregated 1013 at an average of 63.31 in 23 matches, including three centuries and five fifties

Graeme Smith (5233 at 39.64) needs just seven runs to overtake Mohammad Azharuddin's tally of 5239 (ave.39.39) as captain in ODIs. The top three captains in terms of run-aggregate are - Ricky Ponting (8310), Stephen Fleming (6295) and Arjuna Ranatunga (5608).